by D. O'Larde

Created on: July 30, 2007

An American College of Sports Medicine position statement on exercise reports that:
1. Individuals who ran more than 50 miles per week had significantly greater increases in HDL cholesterol (the good fat) than individuals who ran less than 10 miles per week.
2. The same 50 plus miles per week runners in item 1. had significantly greater decreases in body fat, triglyceride levels and the risk of coronary heart disease than less than 10 miles/week runners.

The significance of this report is its encouraging effect for individuals engaged in running as an exercise.

Other health benefits are strong bones and healthy muscles as a result of the development of the heart and lungs and the improved blood circulation during running. Jogging, a slow pace kind of running improves the intake of oxygen needed by the body which includes the heart, lungs, brain, muscles and bones. It also improves the excretion of wastes from the body through perspiration and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the inside of the body and the atmosphere.

It is not surprising to see that individuals who takes running as a workout looks physically fit and healthy. They are preferred workers by employers not only because of the high cost of health care but also the high cost of sick calls.

For more information on the health benefits of running go on-line at therunnersguide.com/benefitsofrunning/

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